Mashing apparatus



Sept.'17, 1935. E. MAYER MASHING APPARATUS 5 Sheecs--Sheefl 1 Filed Julyl'13, 1934 Arron/,wins

Sept. 17, 1935. E, MAYER MASHING APPARATUS Filed July 13, 1934 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Zig Zag Knivu....

Arron/vir:

sept. 17, 1935.

E. MAYER 2,014,945

MASHINGr` APPARATUS AFiled July 13, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I- 45/M/fn/ran.'

44 [DMU/vo M4 rf@ Arron/vars loosening' action for the apparatus.

Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 17 Claims.

'cial equipment to facilitate the uniform and rapid treatment of crushedand ground grain with extraction uid and with means for agitating andsevering thevbed of material undergoing treatment. I

The invention also has in view the provision of means for stirring,ploughing, cutting and grainv It further contemplatesthe-,provision of ahorizontal cutting knife for application to the mass undergoingtreatment and blades for treating or moving the same. p f

The invention also contemplates draining the grain bed uniformly as toequal areas and in such manner as to prevent formation of drainagechan'- nels or separation of the grain layer by pressure head or suctionhead in the liquid being drawn from the grain bed.

The invention also has in View the arrangement of the means for treatingthe material in such manner that the subdivision of the bed of materialwill be carried on successively by different implements. Thus, theplough, sickle, and zigzag knife may follow each other in the orderstated, or the plough, zigzag knife and sickle may be arranged to followone another in accordance with the character of the material to betreated and the various other factors entering into-the special work inhand. y

Heretofore, apparatus for treating grain has been provided, but suchapparatus hasnot been so arranged as to provide for substantially uni-lform treatment of every individual portion of the bed of materialundergoing treatment. Such apparatus heretofore used has concentratedmore stirring action around the material'in the ceny be extracted sothat the maximum of extract may be obtained within a minimum period oftreat-vment. y y kAnother object of the invention is` to .provideconcentric zones or areas of treatment for a bed of material so that thetreatment within each of said areas will be substantially uniformirrespective of the distance of such several areas from the center ofthe apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for treatingand withdrawing extract from material to be extracted which will operatewith maximum efiiciency and minimum period of time and will operate uponwidely distributed f areas of the material undergoing treatment with 10substantially uniform effect, irrespective of the position of such areaswith reference to the center of the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which willcombine within a single l5 machine a variety of cutting and stirringdevices so rel-ated to each other that their mutual relation to thematerial undergoing treatment will have the most beneficial eiiect inproducing uniformity of treatment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of sturdyconstruction which will withstand severe usage and which will be adaptedwithin itself to carry-out all the necessary steps required for thewithdrawing of extract from 25 crushed and treated grains as a step inthe process of brewing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having aplurality of rotating arms carrying vertical knives and ploughs andhorizontal knives with sickles adapted to operate successively uponadjacent portions of a bed of grain undergoing treatment and also Atoprovide a blade adapted to be used as a mashing blade to coact withother elements in separating and distributing the material or to be usedas a spent grains blade for clearing the apparatus of the material afterit has been finally extracted to the desired extent.

A further object of the invention is to so distribute and proportion thenumber of drain holes in each of the concentric areas as well as thediameter of such drainholes and the size of the` individual false bottomfields 'or areas for the infusion or extraction of material undergoingtreatment as to provide for substantially uniform treatment of thematerial irrespective of its par-` ticular position within theapparatus.

A further'object of the invention is to provide apparatus for visibleinspection of the draining operation and at the same time lowering thepressure head or suction head.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear inthe course ofthe following description.

The annexed drawings and. the followingdescription set forth in detailthe means and mode Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a top plan view, partly in section, taken along the line3-3, shown in Figure l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a plan view, partly in section, taken along the line 4-4,shown in Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a plan view, partly in section, on a reduced scale, similarto Figure 3, showing an apparatus having two supporting arms;

Figure 6 is a side elevation in enlarged detail,

taken along the line 4 6, shown in Figure 3, looking in the direction ofthe arrows, showing the horizontal knife adjusting means;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, taken along theline 1-1, shown in Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows, andshowing one of the plough points;

Figure 8 is a schematic projection showing the positioning andsuccessive action of the severing and subdlviding elements for the grainbed:A

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the cutting action which takesplace under different vertical adjustments of the mechanism;

Figure 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken along the lineIl-ll shown in' Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 1l is a fragmentary front elevation showing the valve unitsillustrated in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a. plan view of one of the plates ofthe false bottom;

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the false bottom taken along the lineI3-l3 shown in Figure 12, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 14 is an end view of the structure shown l in Figure 12, takenalong the line l4-I4, looking in the direction of the arrows:

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing a portion of one ofthe false bottom plates as seen from below;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines IC-ishown in Figure 15, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 17 and 18 are fragmentary views of the under sides of therespective terminal plates of a concentric series of false bottom platesshowing the locking elements;

Figure 19 is an enlarged sectional detail view, taken along the lineI3--iI, shown in Figure 17, looking in the direction of the arrows,showing the construction of one of the locking lugs; and

Figure 20 is an enlarged sectional detail view, taken along the line23-2l, shown in Figure 17, looking in the direction of the arrows,showing the plate lifting socket.

As is clearly shown in Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the containerI, which comprises the combined mash and drain tub, is in the form of acylindrical receptacle of greater width than height and positionedvertically upon a substantial support in the form of croed beams 2, 3,supprrted on members 4 so as to provide space beneath the apparatus forthe driving mechanism shown as in the form of an electric motor 5 and atransmission 6 in the form of a reduction gear mechanism for driving thevertical shaft 1. The drive shaft 1 extends through a hollow hub memberor sleeve 3 and has secured to its upper 5 portion a cross-head 3 havinga series of sockets Ii within which supporting arms I2 are securelyfastened. In place of utilizing a drive beneath the tub, anoverheaddrive may be provided where considerations of space or likematters require 10 such change. 4

The cross-head may be secured to the shaft 1 by means of a key I3. Thelower end of the shaft 1 is received within a cylinder i4 of a hydrauliclifting mechanism Il positioned axially beneath 15 the same, wherebyvertical adjustment of the plane of operation of the arms and theirassociated mechanism is readily provided for.

The upper end of the shaft 1 preferably terminates in a point i4 usuallytermed a needle, 20 which provides a bearing for the sparging apparatusI1. 'I'he sparging apparatus may be of conventional form having areceptacle or reservoir Il supported on the needle and having aplurality of arms Il connected with the lower portion 25 of thereservoir and extended radially outward toward the side walls of themash and drain tub. The arms I3 are in the formv of tubes having aseries of perforations 2l preferably on one side, the number of suchperforations preferably in- 3o creasing toward the outer ends of saidarms so as to provide for a greater distribution of liquid over theouter areas of the grain bed. 'I'he tubu lar arms are provided at theirends with caps 22, and suitable supporting webs 23, and guy wires 35 orrods 24 may be provided to rigidly support the tubular arms. A supply ofliquid for the reservoir of the sparging apparatus may be provided bymeans of a pipe (not shown) which may be supported above the same. 'I'henumber of tubular 40 y arms for the sparging apparatus may be varied asdesired, and ordinarily will be equal to the number of arms mounted onthe cross-head of the mechanism for subdividing and distributing thegrain bed. 45

The container may have a central vent 2l and is preferably closed at itsupper side and is provided with sliding doors 23 which when openedprovide ample space for inspection of the contents of the apparatus aswell as means for obtaining access to the hand-wheels and associatedmechanism carried by said supportingarms, as will be presentlydescribed.

In the form illustrated, the apparatus is made of metal and ispreferably provided with a belt of insulating material (not shown)around its sides and also preferably has a circular walk 21 affordingaccess to the sliding doors. The container is formed with a bottom,hereinafter referred to as a true bottom" 2l, and a false bot- 60 tom 2lof shallow depth which is divided into a plurality of independent falsebottom fields or areas concentrically arranged about the central hubmember extending through such bottom. The particular construction of apreferred type of false bottom will be presently described.

The bottom of the container, as is clearly shown in Figure 4, isprovided with drain openings 3| arranged in such relation to each otheras to provide draining areas of substantially equal effectiveness overthe entire bottom of the contailler, in order that equal treatment ofthe grain bed may be carried out and equal extraction of the wort fromthe grain bed be accomplished. Each oi.' the areas referred to, as shownin Figure 15 4, is connected with a discharge valve or cock 31 by a pipeline 33,- which in the case of large tubs like that illustrated, has abranched pipe 34 whereby each outlet at the discharge cock serves twodrain areas and provides a substantially direct line of ow from' suchdrain areas to the discharge cock. The plane in which the drain pipesare positioned is preferably placed closely adjacent the bottom of thecontainer so that no head of liquid will be imposed upon the drain linesor result in displacement or erosion of the grains bed during thedraining-off process. Each pipe is connected -to the sterilizingmanifold through a branch pipe 35, having a valve 36, the branch pipeextending upwardly approximately the distance that the drain pipe 33connecting with the aperture in the .container bottom extendsdownwardly. In addition to the short connecting pipe 35, leading to thesterilizing manifold, each pipe is provided as heretofore mentioned witha two-way valve 39, having a discharge opening 31 directly downward intothe grant 38, and a discharge opening directly upward through agooseneck pipe 4|, and into the grant 38. The gooseneck pipe 4|preferably rises to a point slightly below the sterilizing manifold andterminates slightly below the bottom of the container, so that a gentlegravity flow of liquid from the container may be had by dischargingthrough the goosenecks.

A gooseneck is thus provided for each d ischarge line or pipe and as theliqud is discharged into the grant, it affords an opportunity fordefinitely checking the progress of the draining- I off operation andascertaining accuratelyv whether a clear extract is being. obtained anddiscovering whether at any of the dran :areasewithin the container anyobstruction to the free flow or drainage of the grain bed is present.AThis affords a means of maintaining any liquid discharged into thegrant of the desired clarity and forstopping at once the introduction ofliquid from any portion of the grain bed which is not of satisfac-torycharacter.

The sterilizing apparatus comprising the manifold 32 and steam and hotwater connections 12, 14, as will be hereinafter described, is providedfor the freeing of the tubes or drain pipes as well as the true bottomof any underdough which may have accumulated under the false bottomduring any portion of the mashing and extraction process. This may beaccomplished by admitting hot water or steam into any desired pipe asfrom connections which will be presently described.

The several drain areas of the container, as is indicated in Figure 4,are covered withl segmental plates 42 of the type illustrated in Figures12 to 20. These pla-tes are preferably formed of sheet metal of suitablecomposition and are formed with narrow slits 43 extending partiallythrough the same which communicate with enlarged slots 44 formed on theunder side of such plates, as is very clearly shown in Figures 15 and16. The plates are provided on their under sidewith a series of spacedsupporting studs 45 which bear against the bottom of the container, saidstudsl concentric area plates forms a separating wall completely aroundthe container. Four such concen-tric areas are shown in Figure 4, andthe strips referred to completely separate each of the concentricdraining areas from the adjacent con- 5 centric draining areas. Thus anyliquid drained into one concentric draining area may ow concentricallywithin the apparatus, but cannot flow radially. At each radial margin ofthe plates, interlocking elements are preferably provided. 10 In theform illustrated, flanges are' provided projecting outwardly on theunder sides of said plates, there being two spaced flanges 41, 48, atone margin and a central single flange 49 at the other margin of a sizeto t in the space between the 15 two anges on a companion plate of thesame concentric series of plates. The flanges 41, 48 and 49 are spacedfrom the bottom by means of feet 50. It will be obvious thus that theplates may be laid in interlocking relation to each other l upon thebottom of the container, and will serve to hold each other in position.lThe last of the series of plates as well as the rst of the series ofplates, are provided with slightly different engaging elements along oneradial margin, as will 25 more lclearly appear from Figures 17 and 18.In said gures, one of the plates 5| will be noted to have a pair ofsemi-circular locking lugs 52, and the other plate 53 to have a flange54 with semi-circular cut-out areas 55 withn which such 30' locking lugswill engage, projecting flanges 55 on said locking lugs serving toengage beneath the plate adjacent the cut-out portions and securely holdthe entire concentric row of plates rmly in engagement. A plate-liftingsocket 51 35 is preferably provided in the plate 5| carrying the lftinglugs and a hook member 58 may be engaged therein to lift the plate whenthe lugs are turned to unlocking position.

'I'he locking lugs 52 may be variously con- 40 y structed, but, as shownin Figure 19, each lug may have a threaded pivot member 6| engaged ln apivot aperture 62 in the plate 5| and screwthreaded about its upper endand engaged by a screw-threaded collar 63 having holes 64 for a 45spanner wrench by means of which it can be engaged against its seat, the`collar then fitting into the countersunk portion around the pivotaperture and being ush with the upper surface of the plate. A square,socket 65 is provided in the 50 upper end of each pivot member so thateach lug may be turned to locking or unlocking position by means of abar wrench having a square end, or by any other suitable implement.

'I'he plate lifting socket 51 is formed by secur- 55' lng a flanged cup65 to the underside of the plate 5| by means of, rivets or pins 61.` Ahole 68 is provided through the plate centrally of the cup. the holebeing of smaller diameter than the cup proper, to provide space withinthe cup for the 60 end of the lifting hook 58 to engage the under sideof the plate 5I as is shown in Figure 20.

The grant 38, as is clearly shown in Figure 4, is connected with adischarge pipe 1| leading to a wort pump whence it may discharge itscontents 65 into the kettle or back into the container or mash tubthrough a special conduit, depending on the quality of the extract andthe stage of the mashing or extracting process when the operation iscarried on. 'Ihesterilizing manifold is connected 70 with a steamline'12 controlled .by a suitable valve 13 and is also connected with'ahot water line 14 controlled by a similar valve 15, whereby eithersteam or hot water or a mixture thereof may be admitted to thesterilizing manifold and thence carried into the container to anydesired section through any of the pipes which may be placed incommunication with the sterilizing manifold by means of the valves 36and the pipes 35 heretofore described. This operation will serve toclear the particular draining line of underdough.

Beneath the container a discharge passageway or conduit 16 for extractedor spent grains can be provided and vertical spent grain chutes 11extending upwardly therefrom and communicating with the interior ofthecontainer through the openings 18. In the apparatus shown in Figures lto 4 inclusive there are four such openings. These openings are closedby plugs or covers 19 as shown in Figure 4 during the mashing operation.

'Ihe apparatus for subdividing and handling the grain bed and formingplanes oi separation therein to permit thorough infusion of the liquidwith the grain and substantially uniform extraction within a minimum oftime, will now be described.

As has been heretofore explained the number of supporting arms I2 on thecross head 0 may be varied as desired and the number of tubular arms I9on the sparging apparatus may be similarly varied, each of thesupporting arms is designed to carry operative elements of predeterminedcharacter such as ploughs, zigzag knives, spent grains blades, or mashblades, horizontal knives with or without sickles, straight blades orvarious combinations or variations of these elements. 'I'he ploughs arepreferably in the form of straight vertical shanks 0 I, but may havetheir upper portions bent forwardly or rearwardly, the latter beingshown as the blades 82 in Figure 6 of the drawings. The shanks of theploughs have sharp front edges 83 as is shown in Figure 7 and outwardlyflared triangular foot sections 84 tapered upwardly and presenting anupwardly beveled forward portion and may be hollow at their rearwardportions. The shanks of the ploughs are preferably provided with shortside knives 85 in staggered relation on opposite sides. 'I'he forward orcutting portions of these knives may be tapered rearwardly toward theirfree ends, presenting a diagonal cutting edge. The shank portions of theploughs are preferably secured to the cylindrical supporting arms bymeans of split clamping rings 86, and alternate plough members arepreferably secured to the supporting arms in the vertical planes of theforward and rearward portions of said supporting arms.

Zigzag knives 9| are' similarly attached to the forward and rearwardportions of the designated supporting arms I2 by means of split clampingrings 92. The zigzag knives are preferably provided with triangular footsections 93 similar to the foot sections of the ploughs and may have oneor more short side knives 94, preferably a single such knife adjacentthe foot section as shown in Figure 9. y

In addition to the ploughs and zigzag knives one or more straight knives95 may be provided on one or more of the supporting arms I 2, preferablyimmediately adjacent the shaft. Such straight knives preferably have notriangular foot portions and terminate in spaced relation to the bottom.

The ploughs and lzigzag knives are preferably arranged in progressivelycloser relation to each other toward the free ends of the supportingarms, as is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and also schematically as shownin Figure 8. The purpose of such closer spacing at the outer ends of thearms is to provide for equal effectivenessnof the subdividing elementsupon the grain bed remote from the center, as is had by the more widelyspaced elements near the center. Where such subdividing elementstraverse a circular path, it is obvious that areas of the grain bednearer the center will receive relatively more effective subdividing 5and infusing action than equal areas near the outer portions of thecontainer, and that to compensate for this unequal travel. thesubdividing elements will have to be proportionately more numerousadjacent the outer portion of the grain 10 bed. Similarly, the number ofdraining areas and draining conduits should be relatively more numerousadjacent the outer portion of the container to secure substantiallyequally effective extraction over equal areas throughout the grain 15bed.

In addition to the subdividing elements attached directly to thesupporting arms I2, it is usually desirable to provide one or more spentgrains and mash blades I0 |02, on the apparatus, 20 and usually onehorizontal knife |03, as is shown in Figures l, 2 and 3. Such horizontalknives may have short vertical upstanding knives which are designatedsickles |04, or they may be provided without sickles according to thesize of the 25 mash tub, the height of the grain bed, f'ie number ofarms, the speed of revolution, and various other considerations.

'I'he method of supporting the horizontal knives with sickles is shownin Figure 6, wherein 30 a bracket |06 is secured to the supporting armI2 having a fixed sleeve bearing |06 for a screw shaft |01 operated by ahandwheel |08. An internally screw-threaded collar |00 is pivotallycarried on the end of a lever pivotally sup- 35 ported at anintermediate point on a bracket ||2 and at its opposite end is pivotallyengaged with a supporting bar III having a screw-threaded section towhich is adjustably attached a bracket ||4 of the horizontal knife |03.A link ||6 is 40 preferably pivoted on the bracket |06 at one end and tothe lower portion of the supporting bar III, which with the leverprovides for positioning the knife horizontally at various levels ofadjustment. The sickles |04 may be of various 45 forms, but preferablyare of the shape shown in Figure 6.

The spent grains or mash blades |0I, |02, are preferably supported onsimilar mechanism having handwheels |06, and I 01, respectively, operat-`50 ing similar adjusting mechanisms IIB, IIS. It should be noted thatthe handwheels are always positioned adjacent the free ends of thesupporting arms, even though in the case of the inwardly positionedspent grains or mash blade |02, its 55 points of support are positionedinwardly of the position of the handwheel and its associated lever. Insuch instance the blade itself is carried on vertical supporting bars|2I, |22, pivotally connected with upper links |23 and lower links |2450 pivotally mounted on brackets |25, |26, respectively, clamped uponthe supporting arm. The

pivot member for the lever comprises a bar |21 in ilxed relation to saidlever and extending parallel to the supporting arm and such bar is 55flxedly engaged with the upper of such link members |23 in eachinstance. The bar is pivotally supported at intervals adjacent suchpoint of connection with the links by the brackets I 25, |26, so thatany adjustment of the lever by means 70 of the handwheel mechanism iscarried to the link mechanism in equal degree. It is also to be notedthat a bar similar to the bar 21 is used even where the lever has anextension which supports the spent grains' or mash blades or the 75horizontal knife. In such instance, as shown in Figure 1, the pivotmember for the lever is associated with the bar |3| which is flxedlyengaged with said lever and extends parallel to the supporting arm tothe inner bracket member |32 in which it is pivotally mounted. 'Iheupper members |33 of a pair of parallel links having lower members |34are ilxedly engaged upon the bar 3|, the free ends being plvotallyengaged with thevertical supporting bar |35 connected with thehorizontal knife at its inner end, to thus provide for positive liftingof the inner end of the knife uniformly with the outer end thereof. A

. similar arrangement is provided for lifting the tion shown in Figure3, a single spent grains blade |4|`is provided, said blade being adaptedto extend completely across the false bottom and hav- `ing its endsangularly disposed so as to carry the extracted grain toward thedischarge chutes of the apparatus. The position of the spent grainsblade MI is controlled by a handwheel |42 and Vassociated `mechanismsimilar to that heretofore described in connection with the spent grainsand meshing blades and the horizontal knife shown in Figure 3.

The apparatus shown in Figuresl,Y 2 and 3, particularly, is providedwith three arms, but the number of arms'provided for in any particularmachine depends in a considerable extent upon the size of the apparatus.With a machine havsubdivision, and which upon its outer portion carriesas many sickles as would be required to properly subdivide equalportions along vertical divisions. With a machine having three arms, ifdesired, a number of sickles may be used, but usually it will be foundthat the operation can be carried on so well with the other subdividingelements that no sickles at all are required. Likewise, where a four-armmachine is provided, in most instances it will be unnecessary to havesickles upon the horizontal knife, the subdivision being accomplished bymeans of ploughs and zigzag knives. 'Ihe grain, when it is `compacted onthe double bottom, can be cut away from such bottom by means of thehorizontal knife,` and the ploughs and zigzag knives can again engagethe same and subdivide the same. With the horizontal knives, the grainvbed can be subdivided in every horizontal level, and with the zigzagknives and ploughs the grain bed can be divided vertically. Theapparatus thus provides for the 'proportionate functioning of thesubdividing apparatus together with the proportionate functioning of thesparging apparatus and the proportionate functioning of the doublebottom, so that uniformity of treatment is carried through in allinstances, irrespective of whether any particular area of the 'grain bedis adjacent the central portion of the apparatus or is adjacent theoutwardly disposed areas of the apparatus.

When the apparatus is of smaller size and a heavier or higher grain bedisto be used in 5 such apparatus, it is frequently necessary to providespecial forms of ploughs and knives to suitably subdivide the grain bed.

It will be noted by reference to Figure 8, that the grain bed is dividedvertically by means of a double series of ploughs on two successivesupporting arms followed by zigzag knives carried on the thirdsupporting arm which also carries on suitable links and brackets ahorizontal knife with vertically upstanding sickles, such sickles beingdisposed only over the outer half portion of such horizontal knife. Itwill be noted that the ploughs and zigzag knives are more closelypositioned adjacent the outer end of the supporting arms, and also thatsuch subdividing 'elements 20 alternate on opposite sides of the arm inthe direction of motion .of the supporting arm therefor. The extremeouter portion of the grain bed will be rst subdivided by one of theploughs on the first supporting arm, and after it has passed through thegrain bed, a plough on the second supporting arm will form a line ofsubdivision closely adjacent the path of travel of the first plough,arid thereafter a zigzag knife on thethird supporting arm will in itsturn form a line of subdivision closely adjacent the path of travel ofthe plough on the second supporting arm, and thereafter the outermostsickle on the horizontal knife will form a line of subdivision inwardlyof the outermost zigzag blade and*V yet outwardly of the second ploughon the rst supporting arm. This method of subdividing the grain bed inthe stages just described will take place completelyv across the bottomof the apparatus and will be repeated for each complete revolution ofthe sup- 40 porting arms and their subdividing elements.l

In Figure 9 there is shown the different horizontal levels at which thesubdividing elements may be adjusted to operate. 'I'he horizontal knifemay be independently adjusted to operate at any desired level andlikewise the spent grains blade when used as a mashing blade may beadjusted 4to any desired horizontal level. As has been explained, theploughs carry short horizontal knives alternating in staggered relationon the respective sides and the zigzag knives may likewise carry one ormore such short horizontal knives. The diagram shown in Figure '.8 ismerely illustrative and is not intended to set forth an essentialarrangement of the ploughs and zigzag knives and sickles, nor torestrict the apparatus to the combination of these various elements,inasmuch as for certain purposes special elements may be required or alarger number of some of these elements and none of the others.Therefore, the proportion of each of the subdividing elements or theirarrangement is a matter to be adjusted in accordance with the work inhand to secure the best results, varying with the character of thematerial to be handled, the size of the apparatus, the speed of.rotation, the height of the grain bed, and various other conditionsconnected with such Work.

The apparatus above described is adapted for use in connection with anyof. the standard practices used in connection with the production ofmalt liquors and also is adapted for use with certain special operationsand 'processes as may be in use in certain plants as individualpractices, and it is not intended to limit the use of the apparatus inany way for any purpose for 75.

which it may be found useful. It will be found, however, that throughthe use of the apparatus along the lines which have been explained, a n1ost highly eiiicient method of extracting the maximum amount of wort ina minimum amount of time consistent with a high quality product isprovided for. In this way the invention includes the method ofextracting wort from grains which comprises the steps of spreading thegrains bed over a circular area, and supplying liquid to such grainsbed, and forming successive subdivisions in the grains bed alongcircular paths, with the number of such subdivisions increasingprogressively from the center of such circular area to permit thoroughand substantially equal access of moisture to all parts of the grainsbed, and draining the extract from the grains bed over substantiallyequal areas of the grains bed along a plurality of individual lines eachhaving a small pressure head.

Other forms may be employed embodying the features of the inventioninstead of those here explained, change being made in the means and modeso long as the elements stated by any of the following claims or theequivalent of such stated elements be employed. v

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A mash tub having in combination a closed cylindrical containerhaving a double bottom dlvided into independent concentric compartments.a plurality of perforated areas provided in the upper wall of saiddouble bottom. and a plurality of individual meanscommunicating withequal individual areas of the concentric compartments for admittingfluid to and withdrawing fluid from said container through saidrespective independent compartments.

2. A mash tub having in combination a closed cylindrical containerhaving a double bottom divided into independent concentric compartments.a plurality of. perforated areas disposed in spaced radial andconcentric relation in said double bottom, and a plurality of'individual means communicating with equal individual areas of theconcentric compartments for admitting fluid to and withdrawing fluidfrom said container through said respective' independent compartments.

3. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination avertically positioned cylindrical container having a double bottomdivided into independent concentric compartments, means associated withsaid double bottom for admitting uid to and withdrawing fluid from saidcontainer through said respective independent compartments, a supportdisposed axially of said container, radial arms supported for movementpivotally about said support, vertical cutting elements supported oncertain of said radial arms. and horizontal cutting elements andhorizontal mash blades supported on other of said radial arms.

4. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination avertically positioned cylindrical container having a double bottom di'-vided into independent concentric compartments, means associated withsaid double bottom for admitting fluid to and withdrawing fluid fromsaid container through said respective independent compartments, asupport disposed axially of said container, radial arms supported forpivotal movement around said support, vertical cutting elementssupported on certain of said radial arms and positioned to travel alongmore closely positioned paths of movement adjacent the outer portions ofsaid arms, horizontal cutting elements and horizontal mash bladessupported on other of said radial arms, adjustable supporting means forsaid mash blades, and means for controlling the '5 position of saidsupporting means.

5. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acylindrical container, a true bottom for said container having a seriesof drain holes, a perforated false bottom for said l container in theform of segmental plates adapted to be positioned above said truebottom, means on said plates for spacing said false bottom from saidtrue bottom, and for subdividing concentrically the lspace between saidfalse bottom and said true bottom forming a plurality of independentdraining areas.

6. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acylindrical container, a true bottom for said container having a seriesof drain holes, a perforated false bottom for said container adapted tobe positioned above said true bottom, means for spacing said falsebottom from said true bottom, and means for subdividing concentricallythe space between said false bottom and said true bottom forvnirw.x aplurality of independent concentric draining areas.

7. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acylindrical container, a true bottom for said container having a seriesof drain holes, a perforated false bottom for said container formed of aseries of ysegmental plates adapted to be positioned over said truebottom, means for spacing each of said false bottom plates from saidtrue bottom, and a strip forming a wall member along at least one edgeof each plate coacting with like members on adjacent plates of theseries to subdivide the space between the true and false bottoms intoconcentric independent series of channelways.y o

8. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acylindrical container, a A true bottom for said container having aseries of drain holes, a perforated false bottom for said containerformed of a series of segmental plates adapted to be positioned oversaid true bottom,` means for spacing each of said false bottom platesfrom said true bottom, and a strip forming a wall member along at leastone arcuate edge of each plate coucting with like members on adjacentplates of the series to subdivide the space between the true and falsebottoms into concentric independent series of channelways extendingcompletely around the bottom oi' said container.

9. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acylindrical container, a true bottom for said container having a seriesof drain holes, a perforated false bottom for said container formed of aplurality of series of concentrically positioned segmental platesadapted to be positioned over said true bottom, supporting members atspaced intervals on the under side of each false bottom plate to spacethe same from the true bottom, projecting interlocking members at eachradial margin of each segmental plate to interengage with complementarymembers von 85 companion plates of each respective concentric series,projecting feet on said interlocking members to support and space saidplate from the bottom, and a strip forming a wall member along at leastone arcuate edge of each of said plates coacting with like members onadjacent plates of the series to subdivide the space between the trueand false bottoms into concentric independent series of channelways.

10. An apparatus of the character described,

having in combination a cylindrical container, a true bottom for saidcontainer having a series of drain holes, aperforated false bottom forsaid container formed of a plurality of series ofconcentricallypositioned segmental plates adapted to be positioned over said truebottom, supporting members at spaced intervals on the under side of eachfalse bottom plate to space the same from the true bottom projectinginterlocking members at each radial 'margin of each segmental plate tointerengage with complementary members on companion plates of eachrespective concentric series, projecting feet on said interlockingmembers to support and space said plate from the bottom, and a stripforming a wall member along one arcuate edge of each plate coacting withlike members on adjacent plates of each respective series, to subdividethe space between the true and false bottoms into 'a plurality ofindependent concentric channelways extending completely around thebottom of said container.

11. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acylindrical container, a true bottom having drain holes, avperforatedseries of segmental plates adapted to be positioned in spaced relationto said true bottom to form a false bottom, a strip forming a wallmember along one arcuate edge of each plate coacting with like memberson adjacent plates of each respective series to subdivide the spacebetween the true and false bottoms into a plurality of independentconcentric channelways extending completely around the bottom of saidcontainer, cooperating interlocking elements carried on two oppositemarginal edges of said segmental plates whereby said plates may be laidover said true bottom in interengaging relation, and means on eachterminal plate of a series of segmental plates for locking said seriesof plates against displacement without interfering with the free flow ofliquid in each of such concentric channelways.

12. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acontainer for grain to be extracted, means for supplying liquid to agrain bed within said container, means traveling about an arcuate pathwithin said container for subdividing said grain bed without bodilydisplacing the sam'e to admit liquid to al1 portions thereof, saidsubdividing means being more densely concentrated over the outer areasof said arcuate path of movement wherein greater distances are traversedand more bulk of grain subdivided than V adjacent the central portionsof p said container.

13. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acontainer provided with a true bottomand a perforated false bottom inspaced relation thereto, draining passageways connected with drain holesdisposed in said true bottom to drain substantially equal areas thereof,segmental plates provided with subdividing anges along at least one edgeforming said false bottom and being positioned over said respectivedrain holes and forming extended individual concentric'channelways incooperation with companion plates, a iluid control device for each ofsaid series of draining passageways providing valves to withdraw fluidfrom such passageways or to discharge iluid into such passageways.

14. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acylindrical container, a true bottom and false bottom for saidcontainer,

a plurality of drain conduits connected with independent concentricspaced areas beneath said g ialse bottom, said conduits being positionedin' a plane slightly below the bottom of said container and having shortupwardly turned sections communicating with said bottom at one end andhaving upwardly turned gooseneck discharge 10 members at the freev endsrising to a plane slightly below the minimum liquid level at the bottomof said container and providing a very slight pressure diierential forthe draining of said respective container areas through said goosenecks.15

15. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination acylindrical container, a true bottom and false bottom in spaced relationfor said container, means subdividing the space between said true andfalse bottom members into independent concentric draining areas, aplurality of drain conduits connected withy each of the respectiveconcentric draining areas beneath said false bottom, said conduits beingpositioned in a plane slightly below the bottom of said container andhaving short upwardly turned sections communicating with said bottom atone end and having upwardly turned gooseneck discharge members at thefree ends rising to a plane slightly 3 below the minimum liquid level atthe bottom of said container and providing a very slight f pressuredifferential for the draining of said respective container areas throughsaid goosenecks.

16. An apparatus of the character described, 35 having in combination acylindrical container, a true bottom and false bottom in spaced relationfor said container, means subdividing the space be tween said true andfalse bottom members into independent concentric draining areas, a 'plu-40 rality of drain conduits connected with each of the respectiveconcentric draining areas beneath said false bottom, said conduits beingmore numerous in each concentric draining area progressively in adirection outwardly from the center 5' of the apparatus, to effectsubstantially equal liquid extraction from' material within saidcontainer over substantially equal surface areas Within each concentricarea.

17. An apparatus of the character described, 50 having in combination acontainer provided with a true bottom and false bottom, a fluid controldevice, including a grant, positioned adjacent said container inapproximately the plane of the bottom thereof, a plurality of drainconduits extending from said fluid control device to draining aperturescommunicating with independent concentric areas beneath the false bottomof said container in a plane closely adjacent the bottom of saidcontainer with a minimum amount of vertical extent, and valve elementstapped into the said drain conduits adjacent the free ends of each ofsaid drain conduits providing for independent connection with a sourceof steam and a source of hot water for injecting r4the same back 55through the draining apertures into .the container. i

EDMUND MAYER..

